Methods and apparatuses for enhancing prosthetic implant durability

Abstract

The present teachings provide for a prosthetic implant comprising a femoral component, a tibial component, a bearing and a wear reduction device. The femoral component is operable to replace at least a portion of a patient's natural femur. The tibial component is operable to replace at least a portion of a patient's natural tibia, the tibial component having a superior tibial component surface. The bearing is operable to provide engagement between the femoral component and the tibial component. The bearing has a superior bearing surface operable to articulate with the femoral component and an inferior bearing surface operable to cooperate with the superior tibial component surface. The wear reduction device is located at least one of the superior tibial component surface and the inferior bearing surface and is operable to reduce wear upon at least one of the superior tibial component surface and the inferior bearing surface.

1. A prosthetic implant comprising:
 a femoral component operable to replace at least a portion of a patient's natural femur; 
 a tibial component operable to replace at least a portion of a patient's natural tibia, said tibial component having a superior tibial component surface; 
 a bearing operable to provide engagement between said femoral component and said tibial component having:
 a superior bearing surface operable to articulate with said femoral component; and 
 an inferior bearing surface operable to cooperate with said superior tibial component surface; and 
 
 a wear reduction device located at at least one of said superior tibial component surface and said inferior bearing surface and operable to reduce wear upon at least one of said superior tibial component surface and said inferior bearing surface, said wear reduction device is coplanar with at least one of said superior tibial component surface and said inferior bearing surface; 
 wherein said wear reduction device is a ceramic insert seated within a recess located at least one of said superior tibial component surface and said inferior bearing surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said bearing is fixed relative to said tibial component. 
     
     
       3. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said bearing is movable relative to said tibial component in a medial to lateral direction. 
     
     
       4. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said bearing is movable relative to said tibial component in an anterior to posterior direction. 
     
     
       5. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said bearing is operable to move in a rotational direction relative to said tibial component. 
     
     
       6. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said superior tibial component is planar. 
     
     
       7. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said superior tibial component surface is at least one of a concave or a convex surface. 
     
     
       8. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said ceramic insert is at least one of zirconia and alumina. 
     
     
       9. A prosthetic tibial implant comprising:
 a tibial plate operable to replace at least a portion of a patient's tibia having:
 a superior surface; 
 an inferior surface opposite said superior surface; 
 a bearing engagement surface located at said superior surface; and 
 a wear reduction device located at said superior surface and coplanar with both said superior surface and said bearing engagement surface; and 
 
 a stem extending from said inferior surface; 
 wherein said wear reduction device is a ceramic insert seated within a recess at said superior surface. 
 
     
     
       10. The implant of  claim 9 , wherein said superior surface is planar. 
     
     
       11. The implant of  claim 9 , wherein said superior surface is curved. 
     
     
       12. The implant of  claim 9 , wherein said ceramic insert is at least one of zirconia and alumina. 
     
     
       13. A prosthetic implant comprising:
 a first member having a first surface; 
 a second member with a second surface that engages said first surface of said first member; and 
 a wear reduction device provided on and co-planar with at least one of said first surface and said second surface to reduce wear of said first member and said second member; 
 wherein said wear reduction device is a ceramic insert seated within a recess in at least one of said first surface and said second surface. 
 
     
     
       14. The implant of  claim 13 , wherein said first member is a tibial component operable to replace at least a portion of a patient's natural tibia. 
     
     
       15. The implant of  claim 14 , wherein said second member is a bearing operable to permit articulation between a femoral component and said tibial component. 
     
     
       16. The implant of  claim 13 , wherein said first member is fixed relative to said second member. 
     
     
       17. The implant of  claim 13 , wherein said ceramic insert is at least one of zirconia and alumina. 
     
     
       18. The implant of  claim 13 , wherein said first member is movable relative to said second member.